The state budget presented in Patna has placed a strong emphasis on transforming the region's infrastructure landscape, with a particular focus on enhancing road connectivity across urban and rural areas.
Major Road Upgrades and New Expressways
According to the budget speech tabled by Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav in the legislative assembly, a comprehensive plan is underway to upgrade all single-lane roads under the road construction department into double-lane roads. This initiative aims to improve traffic flow and safety on key transportation corridors.
The budget also announced the construction of five new expressways under the Saat Nischay-3 program, designed to ensure smoother and faster connectivity between different parts of the state. These expressways are expected to significantly reduce travel time and boost economic activity.
Substantial Project Approvals and Implementation
Over the past year, the government has approved 266 road projects worth over Rs 38,732 crore. Among these are 137 projects announced during the Pragati Yatra, including:
- The nearly 35-kilometer-long Digha-Bihta-Koilwar road
- The 42-kilometer-long Munger (Safiabad)-Bariyarpur-Ghorghat-Sultanganj road
- The approximately 41-kilometer-long Sultanganj-Bhagalpur-Subaur Ganga Road
These projects are being constructed for the first time under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), which represents an innovative approach to infrastructure financing and development.
Central Government Expressway Projects
In addition to state initiatives, several expressway projects by the central government are currently underway, including:
- The Varanasi-Kolkata expressway
- The Gorakhpur-Siliguri expressway
- The Raxaul-Haldia expressway
- The Patna-Purnia expressway
The union government has also approved the construction of a road from Mashrakh to Margrekhan in Bhittamor as part of the Ramjanki Path, further expanding the transportation network.
Rural Connectivity Initiatives
The budget outlines an extensive plan for rural road connectivity, with the rural works department receiving the maximum allocation. Under the Mukhyamantri Gram Sampark Yojana, the government has set an ambitious target of constructing 3,000 kilometers of roads to connect hamlets with populations exceeding 100 residents.
Approval has been granted for a total of 6,083 roads under this scheme, with 1,885 already completed and the remaining projects at various stages of execution. The budget also targets the construction of 200 kilometers of rural roads and 200 bridges during 2026-27 under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (Phase II).
Infrastructure Transformation and Progress
In his budget speech, Finance Minister Yadav highlighted the significant transformation in the infrastructure sector, particularly in rural connectivity. He noted that the rural road network has expanded dramatically from 64,205 kilometers in 2015-16 to 1.19 lakh kilometers in 2025-26, representing substantial progress in connecting remote areas.
Currently, construction work on 909 bridges is underway at different stages under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Setu Yojana, further enhancing connectivity across water bodies and challenging terrain.
The comprehensive infrastructure focus in this budget reflects the government's commitment to improving transportation networks, which is expected to facilitate economic growth, enhance accessibility to services, and improve the quality of life for residents across the state.
